On October 5th, I was able to run my very first runDisney Tower of Terror ten miler. It was a night race, and it didn’t start until 10:00. Yikes. Remember, I am like an old person, I go to bed quite early. The LSU game came on at 7:00, so we spent an hour at ESPN watching the game before going back to our room at the Boardwalk, changing clothes and walking over to Hollywood Studios for the race. (We decided to stay at Boardwalk for this very reason).
Hidden Mickey!
I loved my Cruella costume, and I got a ton of compliments and shout outs on the race course! The arm sleeves got very warm, but oh well.
As soon as we arrived, I ran into some friends, then hunted down Team runDisney for a group photo. There were a lot more of us there than I realized! it was great chatting with everyone.
I also got to meet Lesley, who made my tutu for me. She was super sweet, and has started making tutu’s as a side business.
Soon they were calling for everyone to get into their corrals. We headed into C and someone offered to take a photo of us after they saw us struggling with a sad looking selfie.
We had walked a good ways to get to the start line, but I ran into Kristen and we chatted until the race started so it didn’t seem long at all.
I love starting line fireworks. So pretty and adrenaline pumping!
Carissa and Rudy counting us down in adorable costumes.
Our corral made it up to the start, we got a shout out from Carissa, and we were on our way through the twilight zone!
It took me awhile to get into the groove. I had been eating restaurant food for days, and walked around the parks for three days already, so I was feeling sluggish. I finally felt better by time we got to Animal Kingdom and saw some cool looking stilt walkers.
Watch out for the giant spider!
I had to stop and get this picture for my boss. The queen is her favorite. Off with their heads!
We headed back in the direction we had already come, and it was then that I realized just how many people were running. Look at all the people on the left side! (I’m on the right next to the guy in the green shirt). SO cool to be in the same place at the same time with so many people with the same passions as me, Disney and running.
We headed towards the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, and I was curious how this “trail” portion was going to go. For the most part it was ok, although my ankles did not like the huge rocks so we went really slow. There was one portion that had zero lights and I got really nervous not knowing where I was stepping, but other than that it was well lit. We ran around the track and saw these guys. They told us they liked that our bibs because they had the number 13 in them haha.
There was one guy wandering around the track dragging his shovel, cracked me up. I love it.
I had to go to the bathroom since the race started and didn’t run into the woods like Bobby before the race started, so we took a quick stop here. It was so nice to pee in “real” bathrooms along the race course.
Soon we were going into Champion Stadium. It was nothing like running through the stadium at Disneyland, sadly not very many spectators were there. However, I had to remind myself it was late at night and most sane people were probably in bed already.
This next photo was my favorite of the whole race. After posing with these guys, I went to walk off and one of them grabbed my shoulder and wouldn’t let me go! I started screaming that I had to finish the race so he’d better let go. They were SO in character and did a great job!
Next we ran under the Hollywood Studios sign, if you look closely you can see a villain yelling at us from atop the sign.
Into Hollywood Studios we went, and I knew we were close! I stopped with this guy for my dad. He loves him some Mike.
Bobby’s photo did not come out below. One bad thing about night races.
We passed the Sorcerer’s hat, went around a couple more corners, and then we were at the finish line. We crossed in 1:52, but the race seemed to go by so much faster than that.
We got our medals and had to walk FOREVER to get to the gear check area at Indiana Jones.
We walked back towards the hat and I found this lovely lady.
We were really tired and ended up not staying long at the Villain’s bash. Most people were just sitting around, and I didn’t really want to ride or eat or drink anything right after running a sweaty race.
We left about 1:45 and made the long trek back to the Boardwalk and crashed. After showers of course.
I LOVE my new bling, it glows in the dark and the elevator moves up an down. Good job runDisney.
Overall thoughts:
-LOVED the distance. Long enough to be a challenge but short enough to not feel like death.
-I thought the on course entertainment and amount of characters was very good. Loved seeing ones that aren’t normally out and about, and the lines were not very long.
-The course going through WWOS…meh. I wish it went through Animal Kingdom instead, would be more entertaining, and safer than the trail to WWOS.
-Post race party, not sure what I was expecting but maybe I was just too tired to enjoy it. The lines for characters were super long and we only saw two of them, food and alcohol had to be bought, and I was just flat out tired.
-The bling is awesome, love this medal, and the race shirt design was cool. Was bummed the “I did it” shirt you can buy at the official merchandise table was long sleeved. it’s the first time EVER I haven’t bought the shirt. I just get no use out of LS, and wish they would give us an option of both.
-I think having more and smaller corrals helped. I never felt crowded at all, and am so glad runDisney listened to the runners to make the course more safe and enjoyable!
-Didn’t like I had to walk so far to get my gar check bag. I just wanted to sit down! Must be somewhere else they can put it? Minor detail.
-Would I do this race again? YES! I had a really great time just having fun with it and felt it was well organized. Two thumbs up, which means a lot coming from someone who does not like to stay up late for anything!
Be sure to visit rundisney.com for more information about their races!
QOTD: Have you ever run a night race?
Besides your uber adorable tutu, that may be the neatest and most thought out medal! Glad you had fun, Heather!
Thanks I did!
This race looks like so much fun! I hope that I can do it one day. I’m not sure about the 10pm start time. So late for me, but the experience looks worth it.
it was worth it!
So glad you had a great race! ToT is definitely on my list for next year. I think that medal is my favorite!
This race looks like so much fun! I’ve already decided I am definitely going to run it next year 🙂
I’m not sure how well I’d do running late like that, but it sounds like a really fun race. Have you ever done the AK one that is part scavenger hunt?
I have never done expedition everest. 🙁
I would love to get to do this race, but I don’t think I could (reasonably) do this and the Wine & Dine. Two trips to Florida (as much as I would love it) is a bit much and I’m not ready to not do Wine & Dine yet. That being said, my friends and I are already making plans to do it next year lol
you should!
Looks like so much fun! And your costume was awesome! The only night race I’ve ever done started at 6:00…much different than 10:00! 10:00 is my normal bed time so it would be hard for me to run at that time. But I’d do it for a Disney race for sure! 😉
Once I got there I was excited and awake!
I bet it was a blast. I’d stay awake for it. Heck, we get our butts up early for morning races….love all your posts….running is so addictive!
I’d love to do one of these night races, but I must be an old person too. I’m usually in bed around 10. What are some tips to stay awake for something like this or W&D?
I slept late that morning then took a nap after lunch and that helped!
Thanks for the tutu love, Heather! You rocked it! The picking up our bags was by far the worst part of the race. It felt like an additional 5K to me! I agree with your overall thoughts 100%. I’m sure I’ll do it again. 🙂
I still can’t believe you stayed so late at the party lol!
It really wasn’t even that fun to be honest! We just have a tradition at Disney to always be the last ones out of whichever park we are at that night. It probably sounds silly but we did it once and now we are hooked. We’ve received little *extras* from cast members and the atmosphere can’t be beat. Maybe I can talk you and Bobby into it Princess weekend? 😉
I saw you before the race started and was so bummed I didn’t get to say hi! I actually love the LS I did it shirt, not so much because it’s long sleeve, but it’s the best quality I did it shirt I’ve seen so far! I did not like the DL one (even though I bought it of course). LS tech shirt is still better than a SS cotton shirt IMO. I live in South Florida, but I think I’ll still get more use out of the tech version!
Sorry you didn’t get to say hi! I got the short sleeved tech “I did it” dumbo shirt and really like it. Wish they had that for this race!
I like my Dumbo one other than it’s see through 🙁 that one is a nice tech shirt, but the DL Half is cotton and not great :-\
I did the 10 miler last year. My number one complaint was that they put the bag pickups at Indiana Jones. the last thing I wanted to do was walk so far and up and down so many stairs. Hopefully, they can find some place else for pickup last year.
There had to be another way! lol
I have wanted to do this race for years! Thanks! You could always buy the long sleeve shirts and then tailor them to short sleeve, tank, singlet, or just cut the arms off, etc! Long sleeves bug me sometimes, too.
I am so not crafty/can’t sew and they were really expensive since they were long sleeved. Just think they should have both maybe?
Love your costume! It looks like a fun race; it’s tentatively on my race calendar for next year. I’m not sure how I feel about the night races, yet — I’m running Wine and Dine for the first time next month, and I’m such an old lady…I’m usually pretty much DONE for the day by 10pm, not gearing up to run 13 miles, haha. Glad you had a good time! 😀
WOW – you look great! The outfit, the bling (that’s a unique kind of cool!), and the characters that make such rare appearances are enough to Almost inspire me to go! Now, if I could just get over that whole 10pm start thing… lol. I’m an early riser, and typically go to bed at about 9. I’d need to train my body for that time of day, I think.
Love this recap!! Looks like such a fun race!
Great recap, amazing costume. It’s kind of funny a number of racers I spoke to struggled with the first 3 miles to AK-maybe something about that stretch. I kept thinking, where the heck is AK.
I was really nervouse about doing a night race, but actually really enjoyed it. Will you be here for Wine and Dine?
GREAT recap! I still can’t believe this race started at 10pm, which is legit WAY after my usual bedtime! lol
I was actually at Disney that weekend too! Your pics look so cool – what a different kind of race!!
-Sammy @ http://www.peaceandloveandicecream.com
You pretty much answered a question I had about those post race parties. They sound like fun but just how much energy can one have after running a 10 miler (or half or full)? Call me boring but after a race like that I’d be thinking about beds and pillows. (That, and a shower)
I want to try a night race!
Love the outfit! Too cute 😉
Not yet. I am doing a half in December that is at night, but not nearly as late as TOT. I can’t wait to do TOT next year. I hope they keep it. Your costume was super cute!
I can’t imagine doing a half in the dark…..how do you train for that? For me, my pace changes with darkness…..give me some pointers. Sometimes I run in the early morning and it lightens up along my run.
Thanks!
TImi
So glad you had a great race. My favorite part of last years was running through ESPN – the track, the baseball diamond, etc. I need to consult with you on outfit choices for Wine and Dine! HELP! See you 3 weeks from tomorrow!
tower 10 was the first runDisney race i REALLY wanted to run- regardless of distance or popularity, i LOVE the scare factor! is carissa roz from monsters inc? i love it!! congrats on a great race!
Well,
Our local YMCA is putting together a Terror Trek, for all ages. The run/walk will be lit with glow sticks and lit pumpkins along the way. It’s starts at 7:30 pm, which will be dark here. I like the idea of having some healthy Halloween fun for all ages (they will have a 1 mile or 5k offered).
My son, age 6, husband, and I plan to go!
How did you prepare for a night race? I wouldn’t know how to eat during that day or what to plan to do so I’m not on my feet.